Mark Clattenburg faces backlash over comments on Vinicius Junior
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg is facing mounting pressure to be removed from broadcasting duties following his remarks during Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Benfica on Tuesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
As a pundit for Amazon Prime Video, Clattenburg commented that Vinicius Junior “has not helped himself” after the Brazilian winger reported alleged racist abuse during the match at Estadio da Luz. His remark indicated that Vinicius’s actions complicated matters for match referee François Letexier.
“Vinicius Jr has not helped himself. He’s made this difficult for the referee,” Clattenburg stated during the live coverage. “He’s scored a wonderful goal and all he has to do – yes, celebrate – is return back. But he has made this situation very, very difficult.”
The comments have drawn significant criticism. Anti-discrimination campaigner Troy Townsend MBE, who has spent over a decade working with Kick It Out, expressed demands for Clattenburg’s removal from television work, stating, “He should never be involved in commentary again,” on social media.
Kick It Out issued a statement condemning Clattenburg’s approach during the broadcast. “When anyone reports discrimination in football, or anywhere, the first priority is that they are listened to and feel supported,” the organization said. “Focusing on Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting.”
The charity further emphasized the responsibility of football leaders to set appropriate standards, insisting that such incidents require leadership that reinforces respect, inclusion, and accountability.
The incident unfolded shortly after half-time when Vinicius scored a stunning goal to give Real Madrid the lead. His celebratory dance in front of a corner flag resulted in a yellow card. Following this, Vinicius alleged that he was subjected to racial abuse by Benfica’s Argentinian player Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth while confronting him.
The match referee activated UEFA’s three-step racism protocol, halting play for around ten minutes while both teams left the pitch. José Mourinho attempted to calm Vinicius during the stoppage. When the game resumed, the Brazilian faced jeers from the home supporters with each touch, culminating in a water bottle being thrown from the stands.
In response to the incident, Vinicius took to Instagram, asserting that those who engage in racist behaviour are fundamentally weak. “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are,” he wrote. “But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them.”
Prestianni has denied using any discriminatory language towards Vinicius, claiming a misunderstanding occurred. Benfica has also defended their player, presenting footage of the confrontation and arguing that the distance between players meant the Real Madrid squad could not have heard any alleged comments.
In the world of football, where passion runs deep and emotions often spill over, this episode serves as a stark reminder of how polarizing figures can become when the lines of fairness and accountability blur.
